When hope is gone

We are living in a time of great turmoil and change. Many people have lost everything including their hope. They have relied on the material things of this world to give them security now and in the future only to see their trust compromised by greed and avarice. Where will they turn for security? Will they turn to the banking system, the stock market, the mortgage market, corporations, and/or the government? These systems of man will not and cannot provide long-term stability and security.

We can only find lastly hope in a sustained relationship with God. Psalms 62:5-8 says, “My soul waits in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. (NASU)

At all times be proactive in your faith and relationship with God:

Trust in Him at all times. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (NASU)

Pour out your heart before Him: Pray every day as Jeremiah prayed: Jeremiah 14:20-22 We know our wickedness, O Lord, the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against You. Do not despise us, for Your own name's sake; do not disgrace the throne of Your glory; remember and do not annul Your covenant with us. Are there any among the idols of the nations who give rain? Or can the heavens grant showers? Is it not You, O Lord our God? Therefore we hope in You, For You are the one who has done all these things. (NASU)

God is a refuge for us: Psalms 2:11-12 gives us clear direction when it states, “Worship the Lord with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (NASU)

In His commentary on Psalms 2:12 Adam Clark, the 18^th century Methodist commentator, assures us that, “He is only the inexorable Judge to them who harden their hearts in their iniquity, and will not come unto him that they may have life. But all they who trust in him-who repose all their trust and confidence in him as their atonement and as their Lord, shall be blessed with innumerable blessings.